[Soybomb]

So I've always read how great the lyman manual is and picked up a copy of the new one. I don't know, I almost feel like the data from the powder manufacturers seems more thorough, not to mention free.

.223 is reasonable. I would have liked to see them use the regular 75gr hornady instead of the a-max given that the a-max won't feed from the magazine of the most popular rifle in the US but thats a minor point given that the data you're really there for will still work.

There is no mention of 7.5 swiss at all.

.38 special - I suppose the 150gr lead is close enough to the classic 148gr wadcutter and I can't complain. Sure makes the class 2.7gr of bullseye look underpowered though.

10mm - Cool they list a 150gr jhp like the noslers I shoot. Bummer, no blue dot. Thats strange, they list a blue dot 150gr jhp load for .40. Oh wait they list blue dot under 155gr silvertips in 10mm at least. Their max charge is 1.2 grains less than what alliant says and alliant's suggested recipe is still above lyman's listed max charge.

Have I come into this expecting the wrong thing with nice somewhat consistent data? Are there just too many factors that come into play? I think as I started reloading I expected that the data I picked up would be more similar than different. So far it seems more like the best you can hope for is to start low, stay reasonable, and be observant. I was also going to pick up the speer and lee books for additional data but now I almost feel like I'd be wasting my money and should just stick to the data thats readily accessible online from the bullet and powder makers as well places like forums. Look at it all, start small, don't build a firecracker, and pay attention when I shoot. Heresy?

[nambu1]

I like the lyman, but it is only a start. Lee list more military calibers and the various bullet weights in other calibers.

[rcmodel]

Lee is nothing more then a compilation off all the data from all the powder manufactures & a few other sources.
Lee doesn't test, and has not tested or developed any of them.

IMO: It's only worth buying if you don't have Internet access to get the same data free from the powder manufactures.

I haven't seen the new Lyman #49 yet, but the older ones were/are indispensable for cast bullet data especially.

BTW: It would be really hard for a single company like Lyman to test & list every powder, with every bullet, in every caliber!

Lyman used to come awfully close to it years ago, but now we have hundreds of powders available from many different companies, both here, and abroad.
The number of combinations now possible are mind boggling!
They are bound to have to leave out someones favorite caliber or powder.

rcmodel

[Afy]

Use the lyman as a base, in conjunction with the manuals from the powder makers, in conjunction with one fromt he bullet makers, in conjunction with Quickload... and I think all your bases are well covered.

Want a bullet, caliber and powder combination not in the manuals... QL will guide you to a safe starting point in conjunction with a lot of your common sense you will be safe. Provided of course you also have a fair amount of experience.

I dont... so I enjoy playing with it.

[SSN Vet]

Lee does have 'some' plated bullet loads....

Lee has a really good chapter on shooting cast, with some specific cast bullet load tables for the most popular rifle calibers....

other than that....what RCmodel said.

[SSN Vet]

where are you finding bullet manufactures load data on line?

[NCsmitty]

The Lyman manuals have always been good for many reasons. I do not have the newest one but the information in the older ones are invaluable, especially for some of the cast bullet data, as mentioned. You have to remember that ALL manuals are for reference only and that the proper procedure is to cross reference as much data as possible to work up loads. Different manuals rarely list the exact same loads, and can vary quite a bit. You need to use caution getting loads from forums because there are no guarantees that they will be safe in your firearm. Those need to be referenced against a manual or internet data lists from the bullet or powder manufacturers. Always be focused when you're reloading, distractions can be dangerous.

NCsmitty

[Halo]

Something I've noticed in my Lyman manual (#47), compared to my Speer manual, is that it seems to consistently list lower starting loads but has higher max loads. Sometimes the starting loads are half a grain or more below the starting load listed in Speer. Like most everyone else, I refer to a few different sources to get an idea of the proper range to work with.

[Soybomb]

where are you finding bullet manufactures load data on line?
Well some like speer would rather sell you the data but I've used noslers before http://www.nosler.com/index.php?p=15 Its not the most complete data but it includes a notation on their most accurate load, bc, sd, etc.

[jfdavis58]

The Lyman manual is the most complete reloading manual in existence. No, that doesn't mean it contains every load devised. Load data is only part of the solution. A careful reading of the first few chapters in the Lyman manual should impart all the instructions needed to go from raw components to finished cartridges. Essentially every tool is described in detail, every operation explained and detailed. Every precaution is mentioned and explained.

[NuJudge]

I like the older Lyman manuals, which gave loads which shot well in just about any firearm of a given caliber.

CDD

[mrwilson]

I was looking at my 48th version yesterday. The .40 SW (165gr) and .380 (100gr) MAX charges for Power Pistol were WAY lower than my other manuals. Is Lyman known for being conservative?

[MMCSRET]

I have Lyman/Ideal manuals going back to 1951 and every Hornady and Speer, most Hodgdon and Sierra and every Hercules/Alliant brochure I can get my hands on and all the Accurate, IMR/Dupont/Winchester/Ramshot I can find. I purchase authentic reprints when they are available. I can never have enough loading information and the Lyman/Ideal series is the oldest and most informative of them all!!

[ranger335v]

"Lee is nothing more then a compilation off all the data from all the powder manufactures & a few other sources.
Lee doesn't test, and has not tested or developed any of them."

That's true enough. But, as usual, Lee gives the biggest bang for the buck, they DO include MORE data than anyother single manual. That's makes Lee a good value to me.

But Lyman has always been my fall back info source.

Don't know where you will find new data on a 7.5mm Swiss. You will likely have to get a Lyman from the past for that, try a #41 to #44, I see them on eBay from time to time.

[NCsmitty]

Soybomb, 7.5 Swiss data is available in a plain Google search or as simple as hodgden.com, if you were having a problem finding load data.

NCsmitty

[redneck2]

I like Lyman's various levels of loads for rounds like the .45-70 and 45LC. Also, cast bullet stuff.

[sublimaze41]

I love my lee as an adjunct. I always like to verify
my loads at least once
and Lee usually has it. The internet
may have all the loads you want but
I can get a load from lee in less than a minute.

I still love my Lymann but I don't know about buying
a new one. I have my doubts whether the cost would
be justified for me.

[goon]

I have a slightly older Lyman manual. It's not the newest but it is new enough to continue to use.
Anyhow, I sometimes find it to be kind of incomplete.
In those situations, I go to my Speer manual, which is also occasionally incomplete.
When that happens, I continue on to my Lee manual.

Bottom line - get at least two manuals to work from.

Also, what is the OAL of the rounds you are loading. Occasionally you get shorter OAL's with the same bullet and less powder. Just something to check if possible.

[ftierson]

Originally posted by NCSmitty

7.5 Swiss data is available in a plain Google search or as simple as hodgden.com, if you were having a problem finding load data.

Both Hornady 7 and Sierra V include data for the 7.5x55mm S-R...

Forrest

[Snapping Twig]

Lyman CAST BULLET manual is a must have.

[Griz44]

Lots of opinions on who has "THE BOOK" to use. I like Lee and Lyman best, use the internet a lot, and am a firm believer of NOT using a single source for information on a developing load. Use everything available, then check two more sources. The whole point being, anyone can (and does) make mistakes, the loading book publishers are not perfect. Check and double check, be as safe as you can be with a hobby that is inherently dangerous. Have fun with reloading. I get just as much (maybe more) pleasure from the casting/reloading part of shooting as I do the shooting itself.

[lazyeye]

I have a Lyman #49, a graphing calculator, a notebook, and a laptop.

My only complaint about the Lyman manual is the small selection of bullet types. But the powder container happened to have a recipe for the bullet type I was loading so no problem.

[Hook686]

I like it.

[Wedge]

I also like the Lyman manual. I am thinking of buying #49.

[Hiaboo]

I just got #44 and I have #48, so I'm looking for #46 or so.

Also the Cast manual as well.

So, yes on the lyman.

[nitesite]

I have the Lyman #48 book.

Also on my bookshelf are Speer, Sierra, and Hornady plus guides from Hodgdon and IMR and Win and Alliant.

Since I shoot a lot of cast bullets I find the Lyman manual to be quite valuable. And I shoot a lot of Hornady rifle bullets so I really am glad I bought the Hornady book.

I vote YES for having a Lyman Reloading Manual.

[res45]

I have Lyman #45 #48 and there Shotshell manual for my rifles,pistols and shotguns. The loads I have worked up with these three manuals will cover all my shooting & Hunting needs for the rest of my days.

[NotSoFast]

I have the 48th edition and the 49th edition. I like the 48th edition better.

While Lyman's manual isn't the lowest Max load out there, it isn't the highest either. What I have had to do is list about five loads for the powder I want to use. Then I average both the starting load and the Max load. That way I am not way hot nor am I loading bunny fart loads either. So far that is working for me.

[Atlasx]

I have the latest Lyman book and it seems ok , I did find and area of confusion when compared to the Lee 2n ed. I shoot a lot of 10MM ad the Lyman book offers many loads for 10MM but I have at the present time tried to limit the number of powderss I keep on hand. I selected Power Pistol as my "all round powder" . I found information from the Lyman manual for 180 gr JHPs stopped citing the loading was maximum and Lee's book almost starts at that point! I guess the start low and work up applies but even using a chronograph doesn't help much as the Lyman specs yielded lower velocities than they say they will. It is not an easy thing for ahandloader to measure pressure so you have to ease you way up and watch for case problems, I hate having to do that! It is a shame manufacturers will not collaborate and get their data uniform. I imagine it is all because of liability issues.

Atlasx

[shadowalker]

No, I found the Lyman manual sits on the shelf where I constantly am referring to the Speer, Hornady, Sierra and Nosler.

I also reference Hodgdon's online data fairly routinely.

The Lyman manual does't provide any information the above sources don't. I used to have a Lee manual as well but had the opportunity to sell it for what I paid for it.

[45ACPUSER]

The reason I like the Lyman manual is that lead bullet reloading data. Tis a good resource overall, and I have no qualms with having plenty of resources.
Lyman, Sierra, Hornady. Speer......one reason that it is good to cross reference data as each uses a different brand of brass. Case in point Sierra uses Fed brass working up 308 loads, and if you looked online at say Hodgdo, their data is based on WW brass.

One thing is for sure that a lot of noob and veteran reloaders are cheap. Not knocking frugal, but some times it can be dangerous to not have in your hands resources.

[MMCSRET]

When researching a new load and/or cartridge I will consult every manual I have until I reach a consensus on starting charge. I have had as many as 10 manuals out and open at a time, taking notes and starting my log for that cartridge and since I have more Lyman,Speer and Hornady books that the rest those are the ones I reach for 1st.